Why Electric Typewriters

Typewriter Video Series -- Episode 284: The One I Can't Forget About

In this video essay, Joe describes his particular fascination with the Smith-Corona 5TE Typebar electric machine from the 1950s.

[vincentaurelius]

I have the same exact model and it works perfectly. I love it but I rarely use it. In fact I forgot that the power switch flips to a bright red in the “on” position, almost like it’s telling you it’s fully charged and ready to go!

[france]

Damn. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be convinced into buying an electric typewriter until now.

[dadtype]

Believe it or not, I am STILL catching up on all your videos! Lol, what a fun adventure.

[TheTypewriterGuy]

Smith Corona electric typewriters have a touch control knob underneath, under the spacebar so your touch can be heavier. Best of both worlds my customers love typing in them. Especially those that have arthritis or weak wrist. Form your linespace lever up and stops scratching the top lid.

[susankuver]

I just acquired one of these machines. A brown one. It was totally gunked up and nothing worked but after cleaning and cleaning now everything works except for the bell. I just love it! I have a Hermes 10 too that I also love. But it has the power return that is quite forceful. I bought this model specifically because of your reccomendation. Thank you!

[thethriftyfawn]

Joe, thank you SO MUCH for taking the time to film and upload this... this was simply beautiful. I think we all need that gentle reminder to simply ENJOY the things we love and think about often.

The cinematography was extremely well done in this project, and your true emotions were captured brilliantly!

Your typewriter is incredibly beautiful as well! I do not own a typewriter, but have been watching typewriter content on youtube since this summer, and you are one of the channels I'm subscribed to. I've been considering getting one and have been doing some passive research since this summer, but I think this video pushed me over the edge... I have a birthday coming up in January and just might get myself a special gift!

Thanks again for this wonderful video!
😊❤👍

[AtelierDBurgoyne]

Love everything about this video: the camera angles, zoom-ins and close-ups, the sounds, the text and the narration.

I have been searching one with the correct French Canadian keyboard for some time. I even wonder if they were ever sold with that keyboard.

Daniel

[Selectrolux]

I found one of these machines on Facebook marketplace about two weeks ago and went to purchase it. It had a few issues so I took it to my typewriter repair guy and had it completely refurbished. I got it back yesterday, and I have to say, I really love it. I've been a Selectric guy for many years but this machine is a joy to use. I set it up on my kitchen table to use it, while my Selectric sits sanctimoniously on the desk in my office.

[michaelt]

I considered getting one of them but my eyes were set on the older 1946 royal QDL. It had a classic look in black with glass keys which was snappy to type on compared to a royal mercury I used to own.
No regrets, I enjoy typing on it. Fun to write outlines and drafts on jt.

[RicardoMendesTalks]

Don't know why this video was recommended but I'm glad it was, such a beautiful review, very relaxing. Looking forward to the next videos

[copyrightfreevideobyttf]

I love this one! It kinda rips at your heart! Makes me smile and cry at the same time (which makes no sense, but it does)

[johnnydangerous]

What an excellent video thanks for sharing your thoughts with us about your beautiful typer. oddly enough it’s kind of humorous, you are essentially paying tribute to a typewriter you rarely use.

[mattcwatkins]

I just picked one of these up yesterday. VERY cool. Mine is an early 1958 model with the white "Electric" tag. 5TE141616. Otherwise, same color as yours. Purchased it from the original owner that got it new when she was young. A scuff mark here and there, but no exposed paint bits. Platten is a bit hard, but not the worst. It has three issues including a sticky += slug that I fixed last night. The 6 key (not the slug) is a bit stiff and then slow to retract. I imagine that issue is probably a cleaning and lubrication issue. And the final issue is if you press the left shift key down fairly quickly, it will shift for a split second and then come back up. If you press the key slowly (or the right shift key at any speed), it stays down. I'm not sure exactly how these electrics work yet, but it feels like something sticky or maybe a tired solenoid? Regardless, it's in excellent shape and think this one will be a keeper.

[Channelscruf]

I am what is commonly known in some circles as first. Also, great video per usual. I love my IBM Selectric II Correcting like you like your Smith Corona. It is so easy and smooth! I have a 1955 Smith Corona Stirling manual I bought at a garage sale for $5.00 circa 1980. I love it too. It’s just not as easy. Like you, when I’m doing serious typing, the Selectric is what I reach for.

[sirtypesalot]

I could not have said that any better. Great video! This my favorite typewriter for sure. I have yet to find another one that I enjoy writing on more than the 5te. I can't seem to part with any I have collected either:) and somehow they keep showing up at my house...imagine that :) I will be sharing this video with anyone I am trying to inspire to start writing on a typewriter. Thank you Joe and keep up the great videos!!! Take care

[thethriftyfawn]

Hey JOE!!! You won't believe it! I left a comment here last week and mentioned that I was looking into purchasing my first typewriter for myself for my birthday in January... well my husband and I went on a little spur of the moment road trip about 1.5 hrs away and purchased a typewriter from facebook marketplace this past Sunday!!!

It's a vintage underwood from the 1950s, and I believe it just might be this SX model!!! Mine is a little bit different- it has white keys, with the outer parameter keys being a teal green color! It's a tank and is in great shape and appears to be i working order!!!

It DEFINITELY needs a good cleaning, so when I looked it up, I was SO GLAD to have found one of YOUR videos as a top search result!!! I watched and commented on your episode of the Underwood SX! Thank you for such a wonderful tour of this machine! I had no idea about popping the front panel down at the very front for super easy access to the inside!!!

Please let me know if you have any specific videos that demonstrate how to degrease the inside parts as well as recommended cleaning products!

Fawn

[Exquisitecrpsy]

I remember having this typewriter- and yes it was lovely to use

[loveisall]

I own a tan one of these. As a guy who worked as a professional typist/transcriptionist for more than a decade, including using several of the earlier non-screen IBM word processors, I can't deny that my little portables are just plain hard to use for me, and certainly I can't get over 100wpm on it. I have a 1935 LC Smith Super Speed that I can fly on, and my Olivetti Linea 98, bought new, but these are office machines. I won't pretend that I have perfect typing rhythm; typed pages +/- a million pages of type or so cements one's good and bad habits. But--unlike these newer typewriter lovers, I just don't see the difference between manual and electric machines. Where the love stopped with me, though certainly not their use, was the first purchase of an IBM Wheelwriter in the eighties. I loved that machine, put well over 100K pages through it, but was never emotionally attracted to it. There's just something special about these little SC electric portables that, to me, doesn't seem so different in this case from my Silent-Super...

[dianemaher]

I have a green one of these and it is on a shelf at the moment. It will be used more sometime soon.

[saulysw]

Yep, I would love one. I do have one electric typebar Smith-Corona machine, but it is a later one with power return. It still uses a normal ribbon though, I think the models after mine went to a proprietary cartridge system. Yes, the touch is super light and the imprint dark. But, somehow it is missing something - soul?

By the way, wonderful videography in the intro shots. So easy to watch, very much a polished look now.